Civil rights
Media and commentary related to our work protecting and advancing civil rights. This includes police accountability, justice in youth detention, asylum seeker rights, discrimination, access to justice and Raise the Age.
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2SER: Young People in Solitary Confinement
Our case in the NSW Supreme Court is challenging the use of solitary on young people, as solicitor Petra Franks explained.
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NIT: PM urged to intervene as states push laws increasing child incarceration
We supported calls from NATSILS for the Commonwealth Government take action on state and territory laws driving child imprisonment.
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NIT: Advocates warn more children will be ‘churned through the system’ after NSW law changes
CEO Jonathon Hunyor said the NSW Government should focus on real solutions, including raising the age of criminal responsibility.
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New youth justice Bill doubles down on failing approach
A new Bill rushed into Parliament by the NSW Government ignores the expert advice of an Independent Review into doli incapax.
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SMH: When is a child responsible for a crime? Not everyone likes the answer
We argued that changes to doli incapax will mean more children receive prison sentences.
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3CR: Racial Discrimination Challenge Against Bail Checks
The case raises serious concerns about the over-policing of Aboriginal people both in NSW and around Australia.
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Yahoo News (AAP): ‘Disruptive’ bail checks left brothers scared of police
Our clients’ mother, Megan*, explained the impact of invasive police checks on her family.
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NIT: After 150 visits in 20 months, Aboriginal brothers bring racial discrimination case against NSW Police
Senior Solicitor Grace Gooley explained why we believe the boys were targeted because they are Aboriginal.
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Guardian: 150 police visits in 20 months: Indigenous mother takes action after her boys subjected to ‘relentless’ checks
We’re representing two Aboriginal brothers in a Racial Discrimination case against NSW Police.
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Aboriginal brothers take racial discrimination case against NSW Police to the Federal Court
The boys were subject to more than 150 bail checks by police in 20 months. Statistical evidence shows Aboriginal people are more likely to be checked at home by police.
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Guardian: Change to firearm prohibition orders in NSW a ‘sensible reform’, justice advocate says
Solicitor Lucy Kelley explained the importance of changes to Firearm Prohibition Orders that will allow children to challenge these orders in NCAT.
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2SER: Why changes to freedom of information law could harm transparency
Australia’s freedom of information system is broken, but the Australian Government’s proposed changes would make it even worse.
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Yahoo News (AAP): Trans jail ban sparks outrage amid inmate safety debate
We spoke up to counter transphobic comments and policies by state and territory governments.
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2SER: New expert legal advice to protect children
Lawyer Lucy Kelley explained why the Commonwealth Government has a responsibility to protect children from harmful laws.
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NIT: Experts: Albanese has power — and duty — to lift age of criminal responsibility
Legal advice from Senior Counsel makes it clear the Commonwealth can act to protect children from harmful laws.
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ABC the World Today: Calls for federal intervention on youth justice
CEO Jonathon Hunyor and NATSILS CEO Karly Warner explained why the Commonwealth Government can and should take action to protect children.
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ABC News: Use constitutional power to raise age of criminal responsibility nationwide, lawyers tell PM
Expert legal advice commissioned by the JEC clearly shows the Commonwealth can and should act to protect kids from harmful state laws.
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Prime Minister has the power to ensure children are safe and protected. It’s time for action.
Advice obtained from Senior Counsel by the JEC makes clear that the Commonwealth has the Constitutional power to act on youth justice reform.
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Bill Crews on 2GB: Jonathon Hunyor on why locking kids up does not work
CEO Jonathon Hunyor explained how ripping kids out of their communities and locking them up harms children and doesn’t prevent crime.
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2SER: Crime stats show more kids are being locked up
JEC Solicitor Kate Sinclair joined 2SER to explain why locking up kids isn’t working.
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ABC NSW Drive: Jonathon Hunyor on failures of imprisoning children
Our CEO told ABC NSW Drive the NSW Government must stop locking up children and invest in communities instead.
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NIT: Aboriginal Legal Service calls NSW youth detention surge a ‘wake-up call’
We joined ALS in calling out the failure of the NSW Government’s law and order approach to community safety.
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New youth detention stats show failure of law and order response
BOCSAR data for the June 2025 quarter shows the NSW Government’s law and order response is failing.
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The Guardian: Does a NSW police anti-firearm scheme go too far?
Principal Solicitor Jonathan Hall Spence expressed concerns over the high numbers of Aboriginal people being subject to a little known police search power.
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NIT: Legal and community experts warn NSW Opposition bill to put more children in prison will increase crime
We joined an alliance of legal and community experts saying a Coalition bill calling for tougher child bail laws will backfire and increase crime.
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Online forum: LGBTQ discrimination in religious schools and organisations
Join Anglican Minister and academic Rev Dr Angus McLeay in conversation with discrimination law expert and LGBTQ+ advocate Alastair Lawrie to explore the intersection between ‘religious freedom’ and anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination in Australian religious schools and organisations. WHEN: 1-2pm, Tuesday 19 August 2025RSVP: [email protected] —————————————————————————— In many parts of Australia, the law permits religious schools and social…
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SBS / NITV: Advocates claim human rights protections in Australia are going in the wrong direction
We co-authored a report highlighting Australia’s human rights failures and urging the Australian Government to act ahead of the 2026 UN human rights review.
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SMH: Why police can’t prove children like Harry committed serious crimes
Our CEO Jonathon Hunyor explained to the SMH why the NSW review into doli incapax is a distraction from the real issues.
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NITV: ACT chooses ‘care over cruelty’ by raising the age of criminal responsibility to 14
JEC CEO Jonathon Hunyor explained why the ACT Government have made the right decision for kids and communities.
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NIT: Aboriginal children routinely over-policed under NSW bail checks, legal group says
New research suggests ‘discriminatory patterns’ in how often NSW Police check on Aboriginal young people while they’re on bail.